Our Difference

We understand the decision to transition to long-term care is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. We want to ensure your decision is a positive one. Below are some of our home’s points of difference:

The calendar is always full. You can be as active as you like.

For some people, the key to living better is filling every day with meaningful activities that bring people together, build bonds and create shared experiences.

Whether it’s tapping the power of music to engage a resident with dementia, attending worship services, participating in exercise classes, or reminiscing with a friendly volunteer, there’s always something going on at Extendicare Southwood Lakes. Check “News & Events”

Here, residents lead active and engaged lives.

This is home. Your home.

We want you to feel at home. We’ll support you in becoming an active and engaged member of your new community and enjoy life to the best of your ability.

We have a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Not only do we work very hard to integrate residents into our community and feel at home, we’re also committed to making families feel at home here too. The following are some of the measures we take to help our residents settle in and also help family members feel comfortable and get involved:

• On the first day, new residents and their family members are introduced to members of our staff and, in particular, members of the resident’s care team. Our focus is providing one-on-one support for both the new residents and their family members.
• Family members are encouraged and welcomed to participate in activities with their loved one.
• Family members, along with their loved one, participate actively in all aspects of the development of the resident’s Care Plan.
• All new residents receive a “Welcome Bear” from the Residents Council and a welcome card from our Family Council as part of their admission package.
• A monthly newsletter is produced and sent to family members to keep them informed and included in our Extendicare extended family.
• We have an open door policy at Southwood Lakes, so whenever a family member wants to talk, we’re here to listen. Plus, our social worker is always available to talk privately about coping with the stress and emotions of caregiving.

We connect you to the community.

Maintaining strong connections to others is essential to keeping people active and involved.

Getting you out into the community and bringing the community into our home is important to your quality of life. Here are some of the ways in which the residents and staff get involved with the community, and how the community connects with us:

• Group outings are organized twice a month and the cost of transportation and lunch is covered by the home.
• Residents Council and residents determine the activities and/or destination of each outing. Outings include apple picking in the fall, trips to the Windsor Casino, shopping excursions, dining out at a local restaurant, fall colour tours, and more.
• Our home provides student placement and co-op placements opportunities for RN, RPN, PSW and Social Work programs from the University of Windsor, St. Clair College and Everest College. As well, we work with local high schools to give students opportunities to earn their 40-hour community service credits.
• We also work closely with Windsor Regional Hospital to reduce the number of ER visits. The Nurse Practitioner stationed at the hospital visits our home 2 to 3 times a week to provide care and treatment in our home to residents who might otherwise have to make the trip to and from the ER.
• We have a strong core of over 50 volunteers from the community who assist in a variety of ways.